Exciting programme taking shape

NetHui 2014 continues to come together as more announcements can be made about the programme.

This year’s major panel will be made up of some of Oceania’s brightest minds discussing the future of the Internet in keeping with this year’s theme of the Next 25 Years of the Internet.

APNIC’s Chief Scientist Geoff Houston will be part of the panel. Geoff’s role as Chief Scientist sees him researching topics associated with Internet infrastructure, IP technologies and address distribution policies. His background is like an international playlist of key Internet organisations.

Mia Garlick from Facebook will also be taking part. Mia is the Head of Policy for Facebook for Australia and New Zealand. An alumni of Stanford in the United States, Mia has been involved in the Internet space for a long time. Prior to working at Facebook, Mia was at the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

There are others being lined up for the panel, but that’s not the only announcement.

Recent World Entrepreneur of the Year nominee and Xero Founder and Chief Executive Rod Drury will be closing the event with a rousing call to action as we look forward to what the Internet will look like in the next 25 years.

“NetHui is New Zealand’s premier Internet event, but we love giving it a global feel so we can learn and engage with the world’s foremost Internet thinkers.

“From a New Zealand perspective, Public Address’ Russell Brown will be part of a panel on the convergence of Internet and the future of media. He’ll be joined by experts from Telecom and the NZ Herald.

“We’ll be welcoming back the Parliamentary Internet Forum. Simon O’Connor, Clare Curran, Gareth Hughes and Tracey Martin have all generously agreed to return for another panel. They will be talking on digital rights and will be joined by Judge David Harvey and Neil Jarvis.

“That’s not all we’ll be having. There’s also a panel on privacy, such a hot button topic in this day and age and we’re having sessions on digital currencies, feminism in tech and on troll culture.

“With such a variety of topics and panels we think this NetHui will be our most diverse yet with something for everyone. That’s why we’re encouraging people to register as soon as they can as this event will sell-out.”

To help people attend who may not otherwise be able to, Catalyst and InternetNZ are offering fellowships to help with transportation, accommodation and ticketing.